Residential Aide

Care for sick, disabled, or old people in their own homes.

Quick Stats

Outlook

Very Good

Salary Range

$16,000 – $29,000

Data from U.S. Department of Labor

What do Residential Aides do?

Disabilities, illnesses, and aging are facts of life, but they shouldn’t keep people from enjoying themselves. Thanks to Residential Aides, those who cannot care for themselves have someone to help with daily chores so they can continue living full and satisfying lives. In this job as a Residential Aide, you typically work at the patient’s home to help them bathe, dress, eat, exercise, and get out and have some fun.

Your daily tasks involve whatever activities make up your patient’s normal routine. Showering, dressing, cooking, and taking medications are common tasks you assist with. Residential Aide’s also help patients perform mild exercises and work on tackling new tasks on their own.

Keeping mentally and emotionally fit is just as important as staying physically in shape, and that’s why you encourage each patient to take up hobbies or have a stroll around the neighborhood.

On days when a patient needs to visit a Doctor, you provide the transportation. As their at-home Caregiver, you can tell the Doctor how the patient is doing and what, if any, health problems they’ve run into lately. Having an unbiased opinion helps the Doctor make the best health decisions for each person.

Working as a Residential Aide allows you to help others, but provides you with so much more. You develop lasting friendships with the people you meet, and you might find yourself learning a strange new hobby along the way.

Should I be a Residential Aide?

You should have
a
high school
degree or higher and share these traits:

Trustworthy:
You are known for your personal integrity and honesty.

Reliable:
You can always be counted on to do a good job.

Calm Under Pressure:
You keep your cool when dealing with highly stressful situations.